Northamptonshire police chief joins call to prevent early release of men responsible for PC Andrew Harper's death
Northamptonshire’s chief constable has joined policing leaders from across the UK in calling on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to explore every lawful option to prevent the early release of those responsible for the death of PC Andrew Harper.
Chief constable Ivan Balhatchet, of Northamptonshire Police, is among 50 senior policing and law enforcement figures to sign an open letter amid concerns the offenders could be released substantially earlier than originally expected.
The letter welcomes the Prime Minister’s intervention in the case and his instruction to the Justice Secretary to examine what can lawfully be done.
However, policing leaders say the case also raises wider concerns about whether victims, bereaved families and the public can have confidence in sentences if subsequent changes to release arrangements mean offenders leave prison significantly earlier than anticipated.
They said: “When someone is sentenced for an exceptionally serious offence, how much confidence can victims, bereaved families and the public place in that sentence if subsequent changes to release arrangements result in an offender being released significantly earlier than originally anticipated?”
PC Harper, a Thames Valley Police officer, was killed while responding to a burglary in Berkshire in 2019.
His widow, Lissie Harper, subsequently campaigned for a change in the law, resulting in Harper’s Law, which introduced mandatory life sentences for people convicted of killing an emergency worker in the course of their duty while committing a crime, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The open letter says there is a “profound strength of feeling” across policing about those responsible for PC Harper’s death potentially benefiting from arrangements which could see them released substantially earlier than expected.
It adds: “Officers and staff understand that the law must be applied as it stands. But they will question what message this sends about the value placed on their service and sacrifice when they put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.”
The 50 signatories have asked the Government to consider three measures, beginning with examining every lawful option to determine whether the earlier release of those responsible for PC Harper’s death can be prevented.
They are also calling for an additional public protection safeguard when future changes to sentencing or release arrangements affect the most serious offenders.
This would mean explicit consideration being given to public protection, the impact on victims and community safety where an offender has caused a death, committed exceptionally serious violence or continues to pose a risk.
The letter says the principle should also apply to serious offences where there is a continuing risk of harm to victims or the public, including serious violence against women and girls, stalking and harassment.
Finally, policing leaders want victims and bereaved families to be “properly considered” whenever significant changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements.
They said: “The public should be able to trust that when a court passes sentence for the most serious crimes, victims, public protection and confidence in the justice system remain at the heart of any subsequent decisions about release.”